Acetyl- L-Tyrosine occurs naturally in the body. This amino acid plays a pivotal role in assisting the body in developing chemicals such as dopamine. Without this, the body can have adverse effects culminating in a sense of sadness, depression, anxiety and an inability to concentrate. Most over the counter supplements that are intended to help boost the body’s naturally occurring processes also include sorbitol, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, modified cellulose gum and colloidal silicon dioxide. This supplement is ideal for vegetarian and vegan users as it contains no animal products. There may be adverse interactions with MAO inhibitor drugs and this should not be used if pregnant or nursing.

Butylene Glycol is commonly used in beauty and cosmetic products as humectants or moisturizers because it has the ability to draw moisture from the air. It is also easily absorbed by the skin which makes it an effective transporter of other minerals. When ingested, Butylene Glycol is processed by the body and converted into b-hydroxybutyraldehyde that activates the citric acid cycle which supplies the body with adenosine triphosphate or ATP. Increase in ATP results in increased supply of energy. Butylene Glycol is also said to increase the production of growth hormones which are necessary for bodybuilding because it aid in the formation and development of strong muscles. It also promotes weight loss and management.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a common ingredient in personal care products. It is a very effective skin conditioning agent. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, which is the ester of benzoic acid and C12-15 Alcohols (q.v.), is also capable of preventing the growth of microorganisms that cause different diseases. It can be used as a facial moisturizer and also for sunscreen protection. Being an excellent moisturizer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps in nourishing skin and giving it a new radiant glow. Its application keeps the skin soft and healthy. It also is an effective anti-agent agent. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is also used in antiperspirants and deodorants.

Caprylic/capric Triglyceride is a highly refined medium chain triglyceride or MCT. It is a combination of caprilic and capric acids, forming a triester. It’s compound enables it to withstand oxidation, giving it an almost indefinite shelf life. Capric Acid commonly extracted in coconut oil. Caprylic/capric triglyceride is commonly found in vitamins because it is effective as a dispersing agent, also it is often used in soap making and other skin care products. Caprylic/capric triglyceride is quickly absorbed by the skin. It is often used as an emollient and lotion. Caprylic acid is known to have anti-bacterial properties while capric acid has anti-fungal properties. Aside from the mentioned benefits from caprilic/capric triglyceride, it also aids in weight loss and lowering cholesterol level because Caprylic/capric Triglyceride fatty acids are rapidly absorbed and burned by the body to be used as energy.

Carbomer is a generic name given to the synthetic polymers of acrylic acid. Chemically they are homopolymers of acrylic acid which are crosslink with an allyl ether pentaerythritol. Allyl ether may be extracted from sucrose or propylene sources. . Acrylic acid polymers should be handled with care as they are irritating and corrosive to the skin and the respiratory tract. Eye contact may result in severe and irreversible injury. Carbomers are used widely in the manufacture of medicine, thickening agents and as emulsion stabilizers. They are also used in cosmetic industry as stabilizers in manufacture of many skin care products.

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol with a waxy texture. It was originally derived from sperm whale oil, thus, the name “Cetyl”. It is also known as 1-hexadecanol and palmityl alcohol. It is often used in shampoos, creams, lotions and other beauty products. Cetyl alcohol is used as emulsifier, lubricant, emollient or skin softener and thickening agents. Its waxy texture is ideal for use of conditioner and shampoos to cover the hair with waxy and lustrous texture. It is also commonly used in lotions because it allows the products to spread onto the skin. Cetyl alcohol can be found from the end-products of petroleum, or from vegetable oils.

Diazolidinyl Urea is a compound that acts as a preservative by release of formaldehydes. It is produced by reaction of allantoin with formaldehyde in the presence of sodium hydroxide solution. Its chemical formula is C8H14N4O7 and Mol. Mass is 278.22 g/mol. Diazolidinyl urea is an antimicrobial preservative. It is used in wide range of cosmetic and skin care products as a preservative. Diazolidinyl urea is also used in the manufacture of shampoo, conditioner, baby wipes and household detergents. Some people can have contact allergy with Diazolidinyl urea causing dermatitis. Generally the people who have allergy to imidazolidinyl urea also have allergy to Diazolidinyl urea.

Dimethicone belongs to a group of compounds which are commonly referred to as silicones. It is also known as Polydimethylsiloxane. Its chemical formula is (C2H6OSi) n and density is 965 kg m-3 .Dimethicone is used as a component in silicone grease. Its number as a food additive is E900. It is used as an anti-foaming agent and an anti-caking agent in many food products. It is believed that dimethicone can be used in the treatment of head lice. It is also present as an active ingredient in most of the cosmetic products for skin protection. Dimethicone is used in analytical chemistry as a component of some types of SPME fibers.

Glycerine is a viscous and colorless liquid used in various pharmaceutical formulations. It is a chemical compound having three hydrophilic hydroxyl groups that are responsible for the solubility of Glycerine in water. Also known as glycerol, its supplements are extremely beneficial in enhancement of energy. It not only helps to build endurance but also triggers weight loss. Glycerine can burn and reduce the extra fat which gets accumulated in human body. You can find Glycerine supplements anywhere in the market. If you consume it with water, it can enhance the hydration process inside the cells, due to which tissues remain hydrated even when you are working out. Your body weight will determine the amount of glycerol you can take. For instance, if you are 125 lbs, you can take 25 to 30 ml per day.

Glycerol Stearate is a fatty compound made up of the esters of fatty acids and glycerol. It is also sometimes knows as GMS or Glyceryl monostearate. It is often used as emulsifier, emulsion stabilizer, viscosity builder and emollient in lotions. It is an important component in soap making. In a wide range of cosmetics, it is used for opacifying and pearlizing agents. It is also non-toxic and does not cause irritation on the skin and eyes. Because it is easily dispersible in water and is soluble in oil and in alcohol, it is ideal for use in cosmetics and perfumes. It has moisturizing property. It is commonly used for the treatment of Eczema.

Isopropyl Palmitate is obtained from Isopropyl alcohol, which is a synthetic alcohol, and a fatty palm oil acid, called Palmatic fatty acid. It is an odorless and a colorless liquid. It is found safe as a cosmetic component by the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Reviews) Expert Panel. It is used in cosmetic field as an emollient and a thickening agent. It is generally used in moisturizers because it forms a thin layer, and is easily absorbed by the skin. It is derived from palmitic acid in coconut oil. It is believed that it also enhances the softness of skin and hair.

L-Alanine is considered as a supplementary amino acid. The presence of carbon atom in its composition leads to the formation of L alanine, which is organic in nature. The best sources of L-alanine would be fish, beef, pork and poultry. The various protein sources which are animal based would consist of a good amount of l-alanine. The alanine levels increases with the contraction of muscles in the body. L- alanine is used by the body to build proteins. It also helps in the transfer of nitrogen from the tissues in our body. It helps to draw blood sugar and hence acts as a good energy resource producer. This would be best suited for those who want a reduction in extra body fat.

L-Arginine Monohydrochloride is a combination of essential amino acid, L-Arginine, and Hydrochloride. It is commonly used for treating and preventing hypertension. It helps synthesize Nitric Oxide in the body that causes the arteries to expand and contract with each heartbeat. It also promotes the production of growth hormones, which is also important in muscle building. It also maintains the acidity of the system that results in enhanced endurance. This helps in alleviating hypertension. It helps in maintaining the blood pressure. It also helps in healing and repairing damaged bones and tissues. Muscle tissue is sometimes damaged after a heavy workout, this particularly benefits athletes who are involves with strenuous exercises.

L-Aspartic Acid is very significant in producing energy. Helps to move NADH to the proper energy producing section of the body. This allows the NADH to make ATP the fuel power for cells.

L-Glutamine is an amino acid that occurs most abundantly in the body by being released from muscles under stress. Aside from increasing the immune system’s efficiency to fight diseases, it also takes care of the normal functioning of the brain and the digestive system through the removal of excess ammonia in the body. A number of factors, such as stress, infections, injuries and surgery affect the levels of glutamine in the system, showing that the healing process is under way. Glutamine supplements may be used by regular exercisers to help in the recovery of muscular fitness after a workout. Glutamine, however, is known to be linked with infections of the intestine and users are advised to seek advice from professionals before ingesting this amino acid.

L-Glycine- Glycine is an organic compound and one of the 20 amino acids deemed as building blocks for proteins. This proteinogenic amino acid is not only the smallest but also the only amino acid of the group that is not chiral, which means there is no enantiomer of glycine. With the prominent exception of collagen, which thirty five percent are glycine, most proteins contain only small amounts of it. As a solid, glycine is sweet tasting, crystalline and has no color. Despite being non-essential, because it can be biosynthesized from the amino acid serine, glycine has several important physiological functions, besides being a precursor to proteins. It is a biosynthetic intermediate of purines and the D-Aminolevulinic acid and it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system.

L-Histidine Monohydrochloride Monohydrate is produced by using hydrochloric acid in neutralizing L-Histidine. It plays an important role in the production of red and white blood cells. It also proved to be effective in preventing and alleviating the symptoms of arthritis. It helps in the growth and repair of tissues. It also helps protect the nerve cells particularly the auditory nerves. It also prevents heavy metal toxicity. It also plays an important role in allowing the body to absorb zinc and utilize it. It also helps in alleviating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as menstrual cramps and nausea. It has antispasmodic property that helps ease colic.

L-Isoleucine is one of the nine essential amino acids that is not produced in the body. It can be obtained from animal sources like liver, fish, eggs, chicken, meat and vegetable sources like rye, cashew nuts, almonds, lentils, chickpeas and soy proteins. The metabolism of L-Isoleucine takes place in muscle tissue. It is needed for the formation of hemoglobin and stabilizes and regulates blood sugar and energy levels. It is also known to increase endurance levels and helps in the recovery of muscles after exercise. It strengthens the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and increases the level of growth hormones and insulin to maintain the body’s balance. A deficiency leads to a number of physical and mental disorders with symptoms similar to hypoglycemia.

L-Leucine- Leucine is an essential amino acid that does not synthesize in humans and so must be ingested. It slows the degradation of muscle tissue and is used in the formation of sterols.

L-Lysine Monohydrochloride is the essential amino acid lysine with a molecule of hydrochloride. It is commonly used for cell culture media in research concerns, however, it is also becoming popular as dietary supplement for its numerous health benefits. Research shows that it provides nutritional support for the body's natural defense system. It is also shown to prevent Lipoprotein from being deposited on wall of arteries, thus preventing heart and blood vessel diseases. Some research also shows that it is an effective cure for herpes infections and cold sores. It is recommended by many studies that every adult should take 1-2 grams of L-lysine Monohydrochloride per day.

L-Methionine, an essential amino acid for the human body, acts as a building block for proteins. Since the body cannot produce it naturally, you need to take it through supplements and diet. This antioxidant is found in dairy products and meat and is essential for producing creatine. It is soluble in water and helps in breakdown of fats. You can also find L-Methionine in vegetables and fruits. Since it is a glycogenic amino acid, it helps in forming glycogen and D-glucose. On a daily basis, experts recommend only 13 mg of L-Methionine for adults. These supplements are not only effective in liver disease treatment but also beneficial for individuals who follow a vegetarian diet. You can enhance the quality of your skin, hair and nails by taking L-Methionine supplements.

L-Phenylalanine gained notoriety with the aspartame controversy where extensive internet bombardment against the artificial sweetener prompted a thorough cleaning by The Coca Cola Company and other interest groups. Now it seems that aspartame has more benefits to health than aspirin. L-Phenylalanine is an essential alpha amino acid that is deemed analgesic and antidepressant. It is hydrophobic and nonpolar, one of only twenty common amino acids that are used to produce protein as coded by the DNA. L-Phenylalanine can also convert into L-Tyrosine, which can then become L-DOPA, going forth to become norepinephrine, dopamine or epinephrine. Phenylalanine is very often found in foods, protein rich foods like meat, milk and milk products, poultry and fish, but also as already mentioned in the artificial sweetener aspartame.

L-Proline, an organic compound, is one of the non-essential amino acids that the human body can synthesize on its own from glutamic acid. With only the L-stereoisomer appearing in mammalian protein, it is a precursor of collagen, along with vitamin C. Proline and its derivative, hydroxyproline, make up about 21% of the amino acid component of collagen. Collagen is the fibrous part of connective tissue found in tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins and myocardium as well as in the skin rendering their elasticity and functionality. It also aids in reducing the sagging and wrinkling of skin due to sun exposure. Persons with traumatic injuries, severe burns and had undergone surgery may find proline supplementation helpful in wound healing as it provides additional building block for protein that constitutes most of body tissues. Proline also increases the formation of collagen thereby hastening wound healing. Excessive intake and supplementation of amino acids may interfere in the usual citric acid cycle and may disrupt the nitrogen balance rendering the kidneys and liver to function harder. Persons with diagnosed or suspected liver or kidney disease should consult their professional health care provider before using this supplement.

L-Serine is a non-essential amino acid occurring naturally only in its L-stereoisomer. Synthesized from glycine and theonine, it plays a vital role in purine, pyrimidine and amino acid biosynthesis. It is also involved in cell proliferation. In human functioning, L-serine is crucial in the formation of phospholipids, the constituents of cell membranes. Serine also is serves as a component in the brain proteins and myelin sheath, protective coverings of nerves that also aid in nerve impulse transmission. Furthermore, serine aids in the formation of immunoglobulins and antibodies and is required for the biosynthesis of another amino acid, tryptophan. Tryptophan is a relaxant that helps in relieving stress, reducing anxiety and depression. There are also claims that serine is critical in maintaining a normal blood sugar level. The Journal of Rheumatology (1989) published a research performed in Illinois and Texas suggesting that serine can be used in the treatment of fibromyalgia since a decrease in serine levels was noted In persons with fibromyalgia.

L-Threonine optimizes the utilization of animals that you consume in order to deposit protein to the muscles and aides in weight gain.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is nonessential. It is synthesized from the body from phenylalanine which is also an amino acid. L-Tyrosine has the power to have an effect on the neurotransmitters and this affects various health conditions including depression, mood disorders and Parkinson’s disease. Many such studies have proved that L-Tyrosine helps people having depression. It acts as a precursor and eases the effects of psychosocial, environmental and physical stress. L-Tyrosine turns into melanin by the skin cells and the dark pigment prevents the ultraviolet light from affecting. The thyroid hormones playing a significant role in the process of the body also contain tyrosine. L-Tyrosine is commonly found in all the dairy products, fish, oats, wheat, meat and also in all other protein containing foods. This is also found to be beneficial for people trying to withdraw alcohol. L-Tyrosine has not exhibited severe side effects, yet taking it should be recommended by doctors.

L-Valine, an essential amino acid, promotes the smooth functioning of the body. It is derived from animal and vegetable proteins like seafood, poultry, meat, cottage cheese, sesame seeds, dry whole lentils and roasted peanuts. It regulates the immune system, assists protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. It also promotes growth of muscles and repair of tissues that get damaged due to stress, disease, surgery or injury. It maintains the body’s nitrogen level and energizes the muscles. L-Valine helps detoxify the body against ammonia and prevents muscle wasting in diabetics. It assists in correcting drug addiction related amino acid deficiencies, gallbladder and liver diseases and is linked with treating neurological conditions and brain damage due to alcohol intake. One should consult a physician before consuming the supplement.

Polysorbate 60 is derived from stearic acid from plants. It is commonly used as emulsifier, stabilizer and spreading agent in cosmetic, medicine, and food products. It has the capacity to make the ingredients become soluble. It acts as a surfactant that is created by the reaction of sorbitol with ethylene oxide and the fatty acids obtained from vegetable fats oils. It helps increase the product’s effectiveness. It is used in lotions, skin cleansing products, makeup bases, foundation, and other skin care products to make the essential oils become soluble in water-based products. It is also used in hair products because it helps prevent hair loss.

Propylparaben, a hydroxybenzoic acid ester, is a naturally occurring substance mainly found in many plants and insects. It also is commercially produced and exists in white crystalline form that is generally used in skin care and cosmetic products like foundations, facial washes, eyeshadows, lipsticks, creams and sunscreen lotions. The controversy about the safety of propylparaben surfaced when a group of British researchers chemically analyzed the excised cancerous tumors of women with breast cancer. Traces of parabens were found in the tissues of all the 20 women subjects. This clinical finding paved the path of other studies delving on the possible carcinogenic property of propylparaben. Further studies suggested that parabens somehow mimic estrogen which is a risk factor for breast cancer. But this estrogenic characteristic is documented as minimal and does not pose a grave danger, according to Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. However, the RTECS®-Mutation Research done in 2008 obtained results of propylparaben showing one or more in vitro mammalian cell tests with positive mutation results. Some manufacturers of cosmetics have become aware and produced their own lines of mineral-based products. As of to date, the CIR Expert Panel has not changed their label of propylparaben and still considers it as safe for human consumption and use.

Stearic Acid is a saturated fatty acid that occurs in many animal and vegetable fats and oils. Stearic acid is useful as an ingredient in making candles, soaps, plastics, oil pastels and cosmetics, and for softening rubber. Stearic acid is used to harden soaps, particularly those made with vegetable oil. Even though stearic acid is a saturated fat, studies have suggested that it has little effect on blood cholesterol levels, because such a high proportion is converted to oleic acid.